Clive, I have been reading Sun Tzu since about 1974. ( took an Asian History Course). Over the years I have perused many translations but my favorite is the one is the translation done by the Denma Group:
http://www.sonshi.com/denma.html
There is also a deck of cards that can be used to learn the principles involved.
The main principle of the ART of WAR is to avoid war, but then when avoiding is not possible, .........
It is a very good treatment, but I still prefer the Huang translation.
Agreed. That is the core principle of the Sun Tzu.
BTW, I thought that these paragraphs are apt in respect of the way that the congressional Democrats are behaving:
11. Now the general is the bulwark of the State; if the bulwark is complete at all points; the State will be strong; if the bulwark is defective, the State will be weak.12. There are three ways in which a ruler can bring misfortune upon his army:--
13. (1) By commanding the army to advance or to retreat, being ignorant of the fact that it cannot obey. This is called hobbling the army.
14. (2) By attempting to govern an army in the same way as he administers a kingdom, being ignorant of the conditions which obtain in an army. This causes restlessness in the soldier's minds.
15. (3) By employing the officers of his army without discrimination, through ignorance of the military principle of adaptation to circumstances. This shakes the confidence of the soldiers.